Treating agent dispenser for washing machines



May 3, 1966 J. BocHAN 3,248,912

TREATING AGENT DISPENSER FOR WASHING MACHINES Filed March 16, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 i SS' I IG. l

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TREATING AGENT DISPENSER FOR WASHING MACHINES Filed March 16, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. i. I -1 JOHN aco-mrd ws ATTORNEY May 3, 1966 J. BOCHAN 3,248,912

TREATING AGENT DISPENSER FOR WASHING MACHINES Filed March 16, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 79 INVENTOR JOHN aoc HAU l Z I Wwf@ i-us ATTORQEQ United States Patent() 3,248,912 TREATING AGENT DISPENSER FOR WASHING MACHINES John Buchan, Louisville, Ky., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Filed Mar. 16, 1964, Ser. No. 352,283 8 Claims. (Cl. 68-17) My invention relates to automatic fabric washing machines, and more particularly to an improved arrangement, provided in such machines, for dispensing a treating agent.

It is highly desirable in automatic washing machine to provide a sequence of operation including a first treatment period of operation, or yinitial soak step, in which a preliminary removal of dirt from the fabrics is effected prior to the second treatment period of operation, or main washing step. The soak step may be provided with or without the use of a fabric treating agent such as a detergent, although the use of one enhances the washing operation and, in fact, is normally provided. However, it is imperative that during the washing step such a fabric treating agent be added to the water to form an effective cleaning liquid. Many prior art washing machines do not incorporate any means for introducing a treating agent subsequent to the start of the sequence of operation. With such machines it is necessary for the user to place the fabrics and a treating agent (if desired) in the machine and start the operation; then either wait at the machine until the completion of the soak step or leave and return at the proper subsequent time to place additional treating agent in the machine for the main washing step. Either course of action by the user in undesirable. On the one hand, waiting at the machine wastes the users time which may more profitably be expended in other endeavors. On the other hand, leaving the vicinity of the machine prevents the user from readily determining with accuracy the time at which the soak step ends and the washing step begins.

Accordingly, it is an object of my invention to provide an improved structure wherein addition of treating agent to the fabric cleaning liquid may automatically be effected after a first treatment period of operation for a second treatment period of operation.

More particularly, it is an object of my invention to provide an improved structure for effecting such a desired sequence of operation, wherein the washing machine is of the recirculation type which (generally for filtering purposes) takes liquid from the liquid container and then recirculates it back into the container.

Another, more specific, object of my invention is to provide a recirculation-type washing machine wherein the treating agent is placed in a receptacle positioned in the path of the recirculation stream and, -by selectively preventing entry of the recirculated liquid into the receptacle, the treating agent is transferred to the container at the desired time.

A further specific object of my invention is to provide a combination filter and treating agent receptacle in which the recirculated liquid passing through the filter portion is selectively prevented from passing through the receptacle so that addition of the treating agent to the fabric cleaning liquid may automatically be effected during both a first treatment period of operation and a second treatment period of operation.

In one form of my invention, I provide a washing machine having a container for receiving liquid and fabrics to be washed, a flexing means for flexing clothes in the container and suitable means for introducing liquid thereto. To effect removal of the liquid at appropriate times, I provide a suitable drain pump arrangement. To filter the liquid during operation of the machine I include a 3,248,912 Patented May 3, 1966 ICC recirculation pump system connected to a recirculation conduit means so that liquid may be passed from the container, through the recirculation conduit means and back into the container.

In order to control and effect automatic operation, sequence control means are provided so as to cause, in sequence, proper operation of the liquid introducing means, the flexing means and the recirculation pump system; then the container, the flexing means and the drain pump arrangement. Thus, liquid is first introduced into the container, then the fabrics are flexed while the liquid is recirculated, and then the container and flexing means are rotated and the drain pump system is operated to remove the liquid from the fabrics. The control means causes these steps to be repeated a suitable number of times, preferably in sequence during the cycle of operation so as to provide, in order, a soak step, a centrifugal extraction step or extraction period of operation, a wash step, a centrifugal extraction step or extraction period of operation, a rinse step, and a final centrifugal extraction step or extraction period of operation.

In order to introduce a fabric treating agent at the proper times, I provide, downstream of the recirculation Conduit means, a receptacle for a treating agent (such as a detergent) in which treating agent is placed prior to the start of a cycle of operation. As an important feature of my invention, I provide means which is effective to prevent the recirculated liquid from passing through the treating agent receptacle during the soak step, lbut which may be shifted subsequently so that the recirculated liquid will pass through the treating agent receptacle during the washing step, to transfer the treating agent stored in the receptacle into the container.

, The subject matter which I regard as my invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings,

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a fabric washing machine which includes one embodiment of my improved structure, the view being partially broken away and partially in section to illustrate details;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of a Iportion of the structure included in FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the structure shown in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 showing additional details of my improved structure;

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 showing another embodiment of my improved structure;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary plan view of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 5, and

FIGURE 7 is va View similar to FIGURE 5 illustrating additional details of the embodiment shown in FIG- URE 5.

Referring now to FIGURE l, I have shown my invention incorporated in an automatic washing machine, since this represents the intended use of my novel fabric treating agent dispenser and since there is a novel and useful relationship between the various parts of the washing machine and the treating agent dispenser itself. In FIG- URE l, there is shown an agitator-type clothes washing machine 1 having a conventional basket 2 to receive fabrics to be cleaned provided over its side and bottom walls with perforations 3 and disposed within an outer imperforate tub or casing 4. Tub 4 serves as a liquid receptacle, the basket and the tub together serving, in effect, as container means for fabrics and the liquid in which they are 3 to be washed and rinsed. Basket 2 may be provided with a suitable fabric retaining member 5 for preventing fabrics from being floated over the top of the basket and with a balance ring 6 to help steady the basket when it rotates at high speed.

Tub 4 is rigidly mounted within an appearance cabinet 7 which includes a cover 8 hingedly mounted on the top portion 9 of the cabinet for providing access through an opening 10 to the basket 2. A gasket 11 may be provided so as to form a seal between the top of tub 4 and portion 9 of the cabinet thereby to prevent escape of moisture and moist air into the cabinet around the tub. The rigid mounting of tub 4 within cabinet 7 may be effected by any suitable means. As a particular example of one such means, I have provided a plurality of rigid strap members 12, each of which is secured at one end to an inturned flange 13 of the cabinet and at its other end to the outside of tub 4.

At the center of basket 2 there is positioned a vertical axis agitator 14 which includes a center post 15 and a plurality of curved water circulating vanes 16 joined at their lower ends by an outwardly flared skirt 17. It can readily be seen that the top orfupper end of the agitator extends up above the maximum water level which can be reached in tub 4 and basket 2, the water level being controlled in a conventional manner.

Both basket 2 and agitator 14 are rotatably mounted. The basket is mounted on a flange 19 of a rotatable hub 20. The agitator 14 is mounted on a shaft (not shown) which extends upwardly through hub 19 and through the center post 15, and is secured to the agitator so as to drive it.

During a typical cycle of operation of machine 1, water and fabric treating agent such as a detergent are introduced into tub 4 and basket 2, and agitator 14 is then oscillated back and forth on its axis, that is, in a horizontal plane within the basket. This causes a soaking or pre-wash treatment of the fabric by effecting relative motion of the fabrics and the liquid, as well as suitable flexing of the fabrics. Then, after a predetermined period of-this action, basket 2 and agitator 14 are rotated at high speed to extract centrifugally the liquid from the fabrics and discharge it to a suitable drain. Following this extraction step, clean water is introduced into the basket 2, additional fabric treating agent such as a detergent is added and agitator 14 is then oscillated back and forth on its axis to cause washing of the fabrics by effecting relative motion of the fabrics and the liquid, as well as suitablevflexing of the fabrics. Then, after a predetermined period of this washing action, basket 2 and agitator 14 are rotated at high speed to extract centrifugally the washing liquid from the clothes and discharge it to the drain. Following this extraction operation, clean water is introduced into the basket Z'for rinsing the fabrics and the agitator i-s again oscillated. Finally, the basket and agitator are once more rotated at high speed to extract the rinse water.

Basket 2 and agitator 14 may be driven through any suitable means. By way of example, I have shown them as driven from a reversing motor 21, shown in the lower portion of FIGURE 1, through a system including a clutch 22 mounted on the motor shaft. A suitable belt 23 transmits power from clutch 22 to a transmission assembly 24 through a pulley 25. Thus, depending upon the direction of rotation of motor 21, pulley 25 of transmission 24 is driven in one direction or the other. The transmission 24 is so arranged that it supports and drives both the agitator drive shaft and the basket mounting hub 20. When motor 21 is rotated in one direction, the transmission causes agitator 14 to oscillate in a substantially horizontal plane within basket 2. Conversely, when motor is driven in the opposite, or spin, direction, the transmission rotates basket 2 and agitator 14 together at high speed for centrifugal liquid extraction. It will be recognized that there are many well known mechanisms for effecting the type of motion described hereabove.

47 and 48.

In addition to operating transmission 24 as described, motor 21 also provides a direct drive through a flexible coupling 26 to a pump structure, generally indicated at 27, which may include two separate pump units 28 and 29, both operated simultaneously by motor 21. Pump 28 has an inlet which is connected by a conduit 30 to an opening 31 formed at the lowermost point of tub 4. Pump 28 also has an outlet which is connected by a conduit 32 to a suitable drain (not shown). Pump 29 has an inlet connected by a suitable conduit 33 to the interior of tub 4 and an outlet connected by a conduit 34 to a nozzle 35. The pumps are formed so that in the spin direction of motor rotation pump 28 will draw in liquid from opening 31 and discharge it through conduit 32 to drain, and in the other direction of rotation pump 29 will draw in liquid through conduit 33- and discharge it through conduit 34 and nozzle 35. Each of the pumps is substantially inoperative in the direction of rotation in which it is not used.

Nozzle 35 is positioned to discharge a stream of liquid down into the dispenser of my invention which is formed, in the particular embodiment shown, as a combination lter and fabric treating agent receptacle including a housing generally indicated at 36. The housing 36 is secured to the top portion 18 of agitator 14 so as to be movable therewith. In this connection, and with reference to FIGURE 2, it will be seen that the housing 36 includes a filter pan 37 having a number of openings 38 formed in the bottom wall thereof. The center portion of the dispenser is provided with a hollow post 39, which is shaped to conform to the upper end 18 of agitator 14, so that the combination filter and receptacle is removably secured on agitator 14 so as to move therewith. During the soak step the liquid discharged from nozzle 35 passes through the openings 38 in the iilter pan and back into the basket 2.

In order to isolate vibrations from the stationary structure, the washing and centrifuging system, formed from the motor 21, clutch 22, transmission 24, basket 2 and agitator 14 is supported by a suitable suspension structure. For example, one suitable structure includes a bracket member 40 with transmission 24 mounted thereon and motor 21 mounted to the underside thereof. The bracket member in turn is secured to upwardly extending rigid members 41, and each of the two upwardly extending members 41 is connected to a cable 42 supported from the top of the machine. While only a portion of thesuspension system is shown inv FIGURE l, such a vibration isolation system is fully described and claimed in Patent 2,987,190 issued on June 6, 1961, to John Bochan and assigned to General Electric Company, assignee of the present invention.

In order to accommodate the relative movement which occurs between basket 2 and tub 4 without any danger of leakage between them, the stationary tub 4 is joined to the upper part of transmission 24 by a flexible boot member 43.

Hot and cold water may be supplied to the machine through conduits 44 and 45 which are adapted to be connected respectively to sources of hot and cold Water (not shown). Conduits 44 and 45 extend into a conventional mixing valve structure 46 having solenoids Energization of solenoid 47 permits passage of hot water through the valve to a hose 49 and outlet 50 for filling the tub; energization of solenoid 48 permits passage of cold water through the valve to the hose 49 and outlet 50 and energization of both solenoids permits mixing of hot and cold water in the valve and passage of warm water to hose 49 and outlet 50. Hose 49 and outlet 50 are positioned to discharge the water into basket 2. Thus, when one or both of the solenoids 47 and 48 are energized, water passes into basket 2 vand tub 4.

means. In one typical arrangement for doing this an opening 51 is provided in the side of tub 4 adjacent the bottom thereof. Opening 51 is connected through a conduit 52 and a tube 53 to a conventional pressuresensitive switch (not shown) which may be positioned in the control panel 54 of machine 1. As the water rises in basket 2 and tub 4, it exerts increasing pressure on the column of air trapped in tube 53 and at a predetermined pressure level the column of air operates the pressure-sensitive switch to shut off whichever of solenoids 47 and 48 may be energized. It will be understood that this occurs when the water is at a level within tub 4 which, at a maximum, is substantially below the clothes retaining member 5 and housing 36.

The control panel 54, which may also be referred to as a backsplasher, may have suitable manually-operated members such as that shown at 55. Members 55 may be used to control, for instance, washing and spinning speeds, water temperature, water level within tub 4 and basket 2, etc., for the washing of different types of fabrics.

The foregoing describes a complete washing machine so that the application of my invention in its relationship to the remainder of the components of the machine may better be understood.

Referring now to FIGURE 2, in order to store a fabric treating agent for addition to the liquid at the proper times the hollow center post 39 of housing 36 is formed with a bottom wall 56 surrounded by a peripheral, upstanding side wall 57 forming a receptacle 58. So that the fabric treating agent may be introduced into the receptacle, a cylindrical sleeve 59 is placed around the center post 39 in spaced relationship therewith, forming an opening 60 which extends downwardly and opens into receptacle 58. For directing liquid owing from openings 38 back into the container, the lower portion of sleeve 59 is formed into a flat, generally horizontal, annular portion or member 61 which extends outwardly over the top of receptacle 58 and is curved downwardly at its periphery to form a skirt 62 in spaced relationship with the side wall 57.

So that a portion of the liquid flowing from openings 38 may selectively be caused to ow through receptacle 58, the horizontal portion 61 is provided with an opening 63 communicating with the receptacle 58. The horizontal portion includes a pair of upstanding ribs 64 and 65 (best seen in FIGURES 3 and 4) which form a trough 66 surrounding the opening 63 and help support the filter pan 37. A blocking member 67 is slidably mounted in the trough and is normally held in the inward position (illustrated in FIGURE 2) by a detent arrangement 68 so as to be in register with opening 63.

In order to limit movement of member 67, a projection 69 extends downwardly from the inner end of blocking member 67 through opening 63. When the housing 36 rotates with the agitator 14 during centrifugal extraction the centrifugal force is sufficient to overcome the detent arrangement 68 and the blocking member 67 slides radially outwardly in the trough 66 until the projection 69 engages the horizontal portion 61 adjacent the outer end of opening 63 (as shown in broken line in FIGURE 3). In this position the blocking member 67 is not in register with opening 63.

When it is desired to wash fabrics they are placed within the basket 2, a fabric treating agent (for instance a detergent in powder or tablet form) is placed into filter pan 37 and is also introduced in receptacle 58 through opening 60, and the Iblocking member 67 is moved to its inner position (illustrated in FIGURE 2). The manually-operated member 55 is then set to cause an automatic sequence of operations. First the tub 4 and basket 2 are filled with water and then the agitator 14 is oscillated within the basket to cause relative motion between the water and the fabrics and to fiex the fabrics, providing a first treatment period of operation (or soak step). During the soak step pump 29 draws water in through conduit 33 and discharges it through conduit 34 and nozzle 35. The water discharged through nozzle 35 falls into filter pan 37, dissolving the treating agent stored there, and passes downwardly through the openings 38 in the lower surface thereof. The horizontal portion 61 directs the liquid fiowing from the filter pan outwardly over the top of the receptacle 58 and down into the basket 2, the blocking member 67 preventing any liqiud from passing through the receptacle 58. During the soak step all the treating agent stored in filter pan 37 is dissolved and transferred into the basket 2 to form an effective cleaning liquid.

At the conclusion of the soak step the basket 2 and agitator 14 are rotated together to centrifugally extract the liquid from the fabrics. Since the housing 36 Irotates with the agitator 14, centrifugal force causes the blocking member 67 to move radially outwardly in the trough 66 until the projection 69 engages the horizontal portion 61.

At the conclusion of the centrifugal extraction step the tub 4 `and basket 2 are filled with waiter, -then the basket 2 is held stationary while the agitator 14 is oscillated within the basket to provide a second treatment period of operation (or washing step). During the washing step the pump 29 draws water in through conduit 33 and discharges it through conduit 34 and nozzle 35. The water discharged through nozzle 35 falls into filter pan 37 and passes downwardly through the openings 38. The horizontal portion 61 directs a major portion of this water directly back into the basket 2. However, blocking member 67 is no longer in register with the opening 63 and part of the water flowing out of the filter pan 37 through the openings 3S passes through the receptacle 58, entering through opening 63 and fiowing out over the side wall 57 and down through the space .between the side wall and the skirt 62. This action transfers the fabric treating agent (or detergent) from the receptacle 58 into the basket to form an effective fabric cleaning liquid. The treating agent `is not forced out of receptacle 58 during the first centrifugal extraction step because the space between side wall 57 and skirt 62, in effect, forms a labyrinth which is too small for the powder or table treating agent to pass through. However, when the treating agent is dissolved, the resultant solution Will easily pass through the space.

The washing step is followed by a second centrifugal extraction step during which the housing 36 -again rotates with the agitator 14. The centrifugal force resulting from the rotation of the combination filter .and receptacle cleans all residue of fabric treating agent and liquid out of the receptacle 58 by forcing it over the side wall 57 and through the space between the side wall and skirt 62.

Referring now to FIGURES 5-7, I show therein another embodiment of my dispenser in which a housing 7i) is provided which includes a hollow center post 71 that is shaped to conform to the upper end 18 of the agitator 14. Formed around the center post and integrally therewith is an open top filter pan 72 having a number of openings 73 in its bottom wall. Mounted on the center post 71 below the filter pan 72 is a generally horizontal, annular member or portion 74. The annular member includes a depending skirt 75 adjacent its outer edge and has an opening 76 below the bottom of the filter pan. Mounted around the lower end of the center post 71 and generally received within the skirt 75 of horizontal member 74 is a fabric treating receptacle 77 having a lower wall 78 and a peripheral upstanding side wall 79, the side wall 79 being spaced inwardly of the downwardly extending skirt 75. The side wall 79 is formed with inwardly extending flanges 79a and 79b, one provided on each side of the opening 76 to form an access opening 80 to the interior of the receptacle 77. A slidable channel portion or blocking member 81 is received in the opening 80 and, in its radially inward 7 position (illustrated in solid lines in FIGURE it is in register with the opening 76 and fills the access open- 80. When in this position the channel portion diverts liquid fiowing through opening 76 into the basket 2 and prevents the liquid from fiowing into the receptacle 77. The channel portion is forced outwardly .by centrifugal force during the first extraction period of operation. To limit -outward movement of the channel portion it is provided with -an upstanding tab 82 which engages a projection 483) which extends downwardly from the horizontal member 74 at a point just radially ontwarrd of opening 76 (indicated in broken lines in FIG- URES 5 and 6). Thus centrifugal force causes the channel portion to assume a position which is out of register with opening 76 and which exposes access opening 80.

Prior to using the washing machine 1 the housing 70 is removed from the top 1S of the agitator 14 and a fabric treating agent (for instance a detergent in powder or tablet form) is inserted into the receptacle 77 through the access opening 8f). Preferably, channel portion 81 is manually pulled outwardly during this time. The channel portion 81 then is returned to its innermost position and the housing 70 is inserted over the top of the agitator and `additional treating agent such as a detergent is placed in filter pan 72.

The operation of the washing machine 1 to clean fabrics is the same as discussed in connection with the embodiment shown in FIGURES 1 through 4; that is, it includes, in sequence, a soak step, a first centrifugal extraction step, a washing step, and a second centrifugal extraction step. During the first treatment period of operation (soak step) the water discharged from the nozzle falls into the filter pan 72 and fiows out through the openings 73, thus filtering lint from the water and transferring the treating agent from filter pan 72 in basket 2. The horizontal member 74 directs the major portion of the liquid flowing from the filter pan directly into the basket 2 without it passing through the receptacle 77. A portion of liquid flows downwardly through opening 76; however, it is received in the channel portion 81 which directs it into the basket 2 without allowing the liquid to flow through the receptacle 77.

During the first centrifugal extractionk step, which irnmediately follows -the soak step, centrifugal force moves the channel portion 81 outwardly until the tab 82 engages the projections 83 (the position shown in broken lines in FIGURES 5 and 6). During the subsequent treatment period of loperation (wash step) the water discharged from nozzle 35 falls into the filter pan 72 and flows out through the openings 73. Again a major portion of the Water is directed into the basket 2 by the horizontal member 74. However, since the channel member -81 is now in its radially outward position, the opening 76 is in communication with the interior of receptacle 77 and the water flowing through the opeinng 76 passes through the receptacle 77 and outwardly through opening 80 into the basket 2. This passage of the water through the receptacle 77 transfers the yfabric treating agent or detergent from the receptacle 77 into the basket 2 to form an effective fabric treating liquid.

During the second centrifugal extraction step (which immediately follows the washing step) the housing 70 rotates with the agitator 14 and centrifugal force removes any residue of the ytreating agent and liquid from the receptacle 77 by causing it to flow over the side wall 79 and through the space between the side wall and the skirt 75, as well as outwardly through the opening 80.

It will be understoood that a member similar to the slidable channel portion 81 of the embodiment of FIG- URES 5 through 7 may be utilized in the embodiment of FIGURES l through 4 instead of the blocking member 67 and that a member similar to blocking member 67 may be utilized in the embodiment of FIGURES 5 through 7 instead of the channel portion 81 without departingl from the spirit of my invention.

It also will be understood that a number of other modifications are possible without departing from the true spirit and scope of my invention. For instance, in a washing machine designed to employ a different type of filter the filter pan portion of my invention could be omitted and a structure similar to the fabric treating agent receptacle and fluid blocking means could be employed alone to ensure the introduction of a fabric treating agent subsequent to the start of the operation of the machine. Additionally, although I have discussed a detergent as an example of a fluid treating agent, my invention is not restricted to detergent dispensers and could be utilized to dispense other fabric treating agents such as a rinse aid material.

While in accordance with the patent` statutes I have described what at present are considered to be the preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the invention, and I therefore aim in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope Vof my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. For use in a washing machine including a container for receiving liquid and fabrics to be washed in the liquid, an agitator mounted within the container, recirculation means for removing liquid from the container and discharging it back into the container, the agitator being oscillatable to flex the fabrics in the container and agitator being rotatable together to centrifuge the liquid from the fabrics and control means for causing a sequence of operation of the washing machine including a first treatment period of operation, a centrifugal extraction period of operation and a second treatment period of operation; a fabric treating agent dispenser, comprising:

(a) a housing mounted about the upper end of the agitator,

(b) said housing including an open top filter pan disposed in the path of liquid discharged from the recirculation means,

(l) the bottom wall of said filter pan having a substantial number of openings therethrough for filtering lint out of the liquid as it flows from said filter pan,

(c) said housing also including an open top treating agent receptacle positioned below said filter pan,

(d) means normally blocking liquid flowing from said filter pan from entering said receptacle,

(e) said blocking means being movable to a nonblocking position by centrifugal force during the extraction period of operation so that at least a portion of the liquid flowing from said filter pan during the second treatment period of operation will flow through said receptacle to transfer the treating agent from said receptacle to the container for treating the fabrics.

2. For use in a washing machine including a container for receiving liquid and fabrics to be washed` in the liquid, an agitator mounted within the container, recirculation means for removing liquid from the container and discharging it back into the container, the agitator being oscillatable to fiex the fabrics in the container, the container and agitator being rotatable together to centrifuge the liquid from the fabrics and control means for causing a sequence of operation of the washing machine including a first treatmentt period of operation, a first centrifugal extraction period of operation, a second treatment period of operation and a second centrifugal extraction period lof operation; a fabric treating agent dispenser comprising:

(a) a housing mounted about the upper end of the agitator,

(b) said housing including an open top filter pan disposed in the path of liquid discharged from the recirculation means,

(l) the bottom wall of said filter pan having a substantial number of openings therethrough for filtering lint out of the liquid as it flows from said filter pan,

(c) said housing also including an open top treating agent receptacle positioned below said filter pan,

(d) said housing further including a generally horizontal member positioned between said filter pan and said open top of said receptacle for directing liquid flowing from said filter pan into the container,

(l) said member having an opening therethrough,

(e) means normally in register with said opening in said member for blocking liquid from entering said receptacle,

(f) said blocking means being movable to a nonblocking position out of register with said opening in said member by Centrifugal force during the first extraction period of operation so that at least a portion of liquid flowing from said filter pan during the second treatment of operation will flow through said receptacle to transfer the treating agent from said receptacle to the container for treating the fabrics, and

(g) said receptacle being caused to rotate with the agitator during the second extraction period of operation to remove any residue of detergent and fluid from said receptacle.

3. For use in a washing machine including a container for receiving liquid and fabrics to be Washed in the liquid, an agitator mounted Within the container, recirculation means for removing liquid from the container and discharging it back into the container, the agitator being oscillatable to flex the fabrics in the container, the container and agitator being rotatable together to centrifuge the liquid from the Ifabrics and control means for causing a sequence of operation of the washing machine including a first treatment period of operation, a centrifugal extraction period of operation and a second treatment period of operation; a treating agent dispenser, comprising:

(a) a housing mounted about the upper end of the agitator,

(b) said housing including an open top filter pan disposed in the path of liquid discharged from the recirculation means,

(l) the bottom Wall of said filter pan having a substantial number of openings therethrough for filtering lint out of the liquid as it flows from said filter pan,

(c) said housing also including an open top treating agent receptacle positioned below said filter pan,

(d) said housing further including a generally horizontal member positioned between said filter pan and said top of said receptacle for directing liquid flowing from said filter pan into the container,

(l) said member having an opening therethrough,

(e) a slidable member normally in register with said opening in said generally horizontal member for blocking liquid from entering said receptacle,

(l) said slidable member being movable to a nonblocking position out of register with said opening in said generally horizontal member by centrifugal force during the extraction period of operation so that at least a portion of the liquid flowing from said filter pan during the second treatment of operation will flow through said receptacle to transfer the fabric treating agent from said receptacle to the container for treating the fabrics, and

(f) means for limiting movement of said slidable member.

4. For use in a washing machine including a container for receiving liquid and fabrics to be washed in the liquid, an agitator mounted within the container, recirculation means for removing liquid from the container and discharging it back into the container, the agitator being oscillatable to flex the fabrics in the container, the container and agitator being rotatable together to cenrifuge the liquid from the fabrics and control means for causing a sequence of operation of the Washing machine including a first treatment period of operation, a centrifugal extraction period of operation and a second treatment period of operation; a treating agent dispenser, comprising:

(a) a housing mounted about the upper end of the agitator,

(b) said housing including an open top filter pan disposed in the path of liquid discharged from the recirculation means,

(1) the bottom wall of said filter pan having a substantial number of openings therethrough for filtering lint out of the liquid as it flows from the filter pan,

(c) said housing also including an open top treating agent receptacle positioned below said filter pan,

(d) said housing further including a generally horizontal member positioned between said filter pan and said open top of said receptacle for directing liquid flowing from said filter .pan into the container,

(l) said member halving an opening therethrough,

(e) a blocking member slidably mounted on said generally horizontal member,

(1) said blocking member normally being in register with said opening in said horizontal member for blocking liquid from entering said receptacle,

(f) said blocking member being movable to a nonblocking position out of register with said opening in said generally horizontal member by centrifugal force during the extraction rriod of operation so that at least a portion of the liquid flowing from said filter pan during the second treatment period of operation will flow through said receptacle to transfer the treating agent from said receptacle to the container for treating the fabrics, and

(g) said blocking member engaging said horizontal member after a predetermined movement of said blocking member to limit movement of said blocking member.

5. For use in a washing machine including a container for receiving liquid and fabrics to be washed in the liquid, an agitator mounted within the container, recirculation means for removing liquid from the container and discharging it lback into the container, the agitator being oscillatable to flex the fabrics in the container, the container and agitator being rotatable together to centrifuge the liquid from the fabrics and control means for causing a sequence of operation of the washing machine including a first treatment period of operation, a centrifugal extraction period of operation and a second treatment period of operation; a fabric treating agent dispenser, comprising:

(a) a housing mounted about the upper end of the agitator,

(b) said housing including an open top filter pan disposed in the path of liquid discharged from the recirulation means,

(l) the bottom wall of said filter pan having a substantial number of openings therethrough for filtering lint out of the liquid as it flows from said filter pan,

(c) said housing also including an open top treating agent receptacle positioned below said filter pan,

(d) said housing further including a generally horizontal member positioned between said filter pan and said open top of said receptacle for directing lliquid flowing from said filter pan into the container,

( 1) said member having an opening therethrough,

(e) said receptacle including a slidable channel portion normally in register with said opening in said member for diverting from the interior of said receptacle liquid flowing through said opening,

(f) said channel portion being movable to a position out of register with said opening -in said member by centrifugal force during the extraction period of operation so that at least a portion of the liquid flowing from said filter pan during the second treatment period of operation will flow through said receptacle to transfer the treating agent from said receptacle to the container for treating the fabrics, and

(g) said channel portion engaging said horizontal member after a predetermined movement of said channel portion to limit movement of said channel portion.

6. For use in a washing machine including a container for receiving liquid and fabrics to be washed in the liquid, an agitator mounted within the container, recirculation means for removing liquid from the container and discharging it back into the container, the agitator being oscillatable to flex the fabrics in the container, the container and agitator being rotatable together to centrifuge the liquid from the fabrics and control means for causing a sequence of operation of the washing machine including a first treatment period of operation, a centrifugal extraction period of operation yand a second treatment period of operation; a fabric treating agent dispenser, comprising:

(a) a hollow post mounted about the upper end of the agitator,

(l) the lower end of said post being formed into an open top treating agent receptacle,

(b) a sleeve member coaxi-al with and spaced from said hollow post to form an opening for introducing treating agent into said receptacle,

(c) an open top filter pan mounted about said sleeve member above said receptacle,

(l) said filter pan being disposed in the path of liquid discharged from the recirculation means,

(2) -the bottom Wall of said filter pan having a substantial number of openings therethrough for filtering lint out of the liquid as it flows from said filter pan,

(d) means normally blocking liquid flowing from said filter pan from entering said receptacle,

(e) said blocking means being movable to a non-blocking position by centrifugal force during the extraction period of operation so that at least a portion of the liquid flowing from said filter pan during the second treatment period of operation will flow through said receptacle to transfer the treating agent from said receptacle to the container for treating the fabrics.

7. For use in a washing machine including a container for receiving liquid and fabrics to be washed in the liquid, an agitator mounted within the container, recirculation means for removing liquid from the container and discharging it back into the container, the agitator being oscillatable to flex the fabrics in the container, the container and agitator being rotatable together to centrifuge the liquid from the fabrics and control means for causing a sequence of operation of the washing machine including a first treatment period of operation, a centrifugal extraction period of operation and a second treatment period of operation; a fabric treating Iagent dispenser, compris- (a) a hollow post mounted about the upper end of the agitator, l

(l) the lower end of said post being formed into an open top treating agent receptacle,

(b) a sleeve member coaxial with and spaced from said hollow post to form an opening for supplying treating agent to said receptacle, l

(c) an open top filter pan mounted about said sleeve member above said receptacle,

(l) said filter pan being positioned in the path of liquid discharged from the recirculation means,

(2) the bottom wall of said lter pan having a substantial number of openings -therethrough for filtering lint out of the liquid as it flows from said filter pan,

(d) said sleeve member including a generally horizontal portion projecting between said filter pan and said open top of said receptacle for directing liquid flowing from said filter pan into the container,

(l) said generally horizontal portion having an opening therethrough, and

(e) a slidable blocking member mounted on said generally horizontal portion,

(l) said blocking member normally being in register with said opening in said generally horizontal portion for blocking liquid flowing from said filter pan from entering said receptacle,

(f) said blocking member lbeing movable to a nonblocking position out of register with said opening in said generally horizontal member by centrifugal force during the extraction period of operation so that at least a portion of the liquid flowing from said filter pan during the second treatment period of operation will flow through said receptacle to transfer the treating agent from said receptacle to the container for treating the fabrics, and

(g) said blocking member engaging said horizontal portion after a predetermined movement of said blocking member to limit movement of said blocking member.

8. For use in a Washing machine including a container for receiving liquid and fabrics to be washed in the liquid, an agitator mounted within the container, recirculation means for removing liquid from the container -and discharging it back into the container, the agitator being oscillatable to flex the fabrics in the container, the container and agitator being rotatable together to centrifuge the liquid from the fabrics and control means for causing a sequence of operation of the washing machine including a first treatment period of operation, a centrifugal extraction period of operation and a second-treatment period of operation; a fabric treating agent dispenser, comprising:

(a) a hollow post mounted about the upper end of the agitator,

(l) the lower end of said post being formed into an open top treating agent receptacle,

(b) a sleeve member coaxial with and spaced from said hollow post to form an opening for introducing treatment agent into said receptacle,

(c) an open top filter pan mounted about said sleeve member above said receptacle,

(l) said filter pan being disposed in the path of liquid discharged from the recirculation means,

(2) the bottom wall of said filter pan having a substantial number of openings therethrough for filtering lint out of the liquid as it flows from said filter pan,

(d) a generally horizontal member positioned between said filter pan and said open top of said receptacle for directing liquid flowing from said filter pan into the container,

(l) said generally horizontal member having an opening therethrough,

(e) said receptacle including a slidable channel portion normally in register with said opening in said horizontal portion for diverting from the interior of said receptacle liquid flowing through saidopening in said generally horizontal member,

(f) said channel portion being movable to -a position out of register with said opening in said member by centrifugal force during the extraction period of op- References Cited by the Examiner eration so that at least a portion of the liquid ow- UNITED STATES PATENTS mg from said lter pan during the second treatment period of operation will ow through said receptacle 2949'025 8/1960 Tmgley 68-17 X to transfer the treating agent from said receptacle to 5 lleMnlly the conta'ner for treati the fabric and 1 C 1 an 1 ng s 3,145,552 s/1964 McMillan et a1. 68-17 (g) said channel portion engaging said horizontal member after a predetermined movement of said channel portion to limit movement of said channel portion. IRVING BUNEVICH Primary Examiner 

1. FOR USE IN A WASHING MACHINE INCLUDING A CONTAINER FOR RECEIVING LIQUID AND FABRICS TO BE WASHED IN THE LIQUID, AN AGITATOR MOUNTED WITHIN THE CONTAINER, RECIRCULATION MEANS FOR REMOVING LIQUID FROM THE CONTAINER AND DISCHARGING IT BACK INTO THE CONTAINER, THE AGITATOR BEING OSCILLATABLE TO FLEX THE FABRICS IN THE CONTAINER AND AGITATOR BEING ROTATABLE TOGETHER TO CENTRIFUGE THE LIQUID FROM THE FABRICS AND CONTROL MEANS FOR CAUSING A SEQUENCE OF OPERATION OF THE WASHING MACHINE INCLUDING A FIRST TREATMENT PERIOR OF OPERATION, A CENTRIFUGAL A FIRST TREATOF OPERATION AND A SECOND TREATMENT PERIOD OF OPERATION: A FABRIC TREATING MOUNTED ABOUT THE UPPER END OF THE (A) A HOUSING MOUNTED ABOUT THE UPPER END OF THE AGITATOR, (B) SAID HOUSING INCLUDING AN OPEN TOP FILTER PAN DISPOSED IN THE PATH OF LIQUID DISCHARGED FROM THE RECIRCULATION MEANS (1) THE BOTTOM WALL OF SAID FILTER PAN HAVING A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF OPENING THERETHROUGH FOR FILTERING LINT OUT OF THE LIQUID AS IT FLOWS FROM SAID FILTER PAN, (C) SAID HOUSING ALSO INCLUDING AN OPEN TOP TREATING AGENT RECEPTACLE POSITIONED BELOW SAID FILTER PAN, (D) MEANS NORMALLY BLOCKING LIQUID FLOWING FROM SAID FILTER PAN FROM ENTERING SAID RECEPTACLE, (E) SAID BLOCKING MEANS BEING MOVABLE TO A NONBLOCKING POSITION BY CENTRIFUGAL FORCE DURING THE EXTRACTION PERIOD OF OPERATION SO THAT AT LEAST A PORTION OF THE LIQUID FLOWING FROM SAID FILTER PAN DURING THE SECOND TREATMENT PERIOD OF OPERATION WILL FLOW THROUGH SAID RECEPTACLE TO TRANSFER THE TREATMENT AGENT FROM SAID RECEPTACLE TO THE CONTAINER FOR TREATING THE FABRICS. 